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Jackson Roberts is a Newsweek contributor based in Hoboken, NJ. His focus is MLB content. Jackson has been with Newsweek since July of 2025 and previously worked at The Sporting News and MLB Network. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. You can get in touch with Jackson by emailing j.roberts@newsweek.com

Jackson Roberts

Contributing Sports Writer

news article

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

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Ups and downs happen to every team throughout a Major League Baseball season, but whatever is happening to the New York Mets right now feels different.

Losers of 10 of their last 11 games, the Mets have seemingly dropped the ball on any chance at a division title. At 63-54 entering Sunday, they’re barely clinging to the last wild card spot in the National League.

Saturday’s game was a low point, as the Mets lost 7-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers after a four-run seventh inning that was aided by some slipshod defense. And earlier in the game, Milwaukee scored two runs on an error by shortstop Francisco Lindor.

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 08: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on August 08, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty…
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 08: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on August 08, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Fisher/Getty Images

Lindor’s struggles since the All-Star break have contributed heavily to the Mets’ recent slide. So it was particularly alarming to see his defense cost the team a game, since he hasn’t been pulling his weight offensively, either.

After the game, a downtrodden Lindor took more than his fair share of the blame for how far this Mets team has fallen.

“I have to be better,” Lindor said, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. “I have to pick up my teammates. I have to be there for my teammates. And I have to finish plays — whether it’s offense, defense or base running. Bottom line: I have to be better.”

Lindor is now batting .176 with a .525 OPS in 20 games since the All-Star break. His season OPS is down to .740 — not exactly a number befitting of a five-time All-Star.

If the Mets are going to turn things around, their de facto captain is going to have to lead the charge on both sides of the ball. It’s not as though he’s unaware of that fact, but the crucial next step is turning words into actions.

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